Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 883: Establishes Urban Enterprise Zone Microloan Program in EDA to help certain businesses in Urban Enterprise Zones and UEZ-Impacted districts; appropriates $5 million.

This bill creates a $5 million microloan program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to support eligible businesses in designated Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZs) or UEZ-impacted districts. Qualified businesses must be independently owned, operate primarily in New Jersey, create at least five full-time jobs (with 50% local residents), and demonstrate financial need for operational or capital expenses. Loans offer low interest (up to 3%, 0% for veteran-owned businesses) with flexible terms, including potential partial forgiveness if the business fails after a good-faith effort. Funds will come from a dedicated revolving loan fund replenished by repayments, aiming to stimulate economic activity in designated distressed areas.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Tags Economic Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2760: Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans.

S 2760 extends New Jersey's existing affordable housing preference for veterans to certain South Korean veterans who served as allies with U.S. forces in the Vietnam conflict. It amends state law to include South Korean veterans meeting specific criteria: they must be New Jersey residents/citizens, have served in Vietnam as U.S. allies, and hold a service-connected disability certification from South Korea. This adds them to the existing priority system for affordable housing, placing them behind homeless veterans (1st priority) and disabled veterans (2nd priority), but ahead of family caregivers (3rd priority). All applicants, including these veterans, must still meet the housing project's income requirements. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1568: Requires State reimbursement to municipalities of cost of disabled veterans' total property tax exemption.

This bill requires New Jersey to reimburse local municipalities 102% of the property tax costs they incur when granting total property tax exemptions to disabled veterans. It directly affects municipalities that provide these exemptions under existing law (P.L.1948, c.259), which currently absorb the cost of the exemption. Key provisions include annual certifications by tax assessors (by June 1) and county boards (by June 15) detailing the number and dollar amount of exemptions granted, with the state using this data to calculate reimbursements. The bill also amends tax reporting rules to separately track these exemptions in county tax tables without including them in the taxable property base. This ensures municipalities aren’t financially burdened by the exemption program while maintaining transparency in tax administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SJR 72: Establishes April of each year as "Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Month" in NJ.

This resolution designates April each year as "Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise recognition of sexual assault and harassment experienced during military service (defined by the VA as MST). It directly affects New Jersey's 6,461 active-duty personnel and 350,538 veterans, citing VA data showing one in three female veterans and one in 50 male veterans report MST. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities but does not create new laws or funding. It complements existing National Sexual Assault Awareness Month while specifically addressing military sexual trauma.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1012: Requires MVC waiver of motorcycle road test for certain veterans.

This bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to waive the motorcycle road test for veterans applying for a motorcycle license. It directly affects veterans who provide proof of an honorable military discharge and have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course on a U.S. military base. The waiver applies only to the road test portion of the licensing process, not the written exam. Veterans must submit this documentation when applying for their license.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1098: Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities with 1.5 units of fair share affordable housing obligation for each housing unit occupied by a veteran; permits municipalities to satisfy fair share affordable housing obligation through 35 percent set aside for veterans.

This bill amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to provide municipalities with additional flexibility in meeting their fair share housing obligations. Specifically, it allows municipalities to count each housing unit occupied by a veteran (with active wartime service) as 1.5 units toward their requirement, instead of the standard 1 unit. It also permits municipalities to satisfy up to 35% of their affordable housing obligation by setting aside units specifically for veterans. The bill directly affects New Jersey municipalities required to provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households under state law.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1108: Establishes grant program for homeless veterans shelters.

S 1108 creates a grant program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to fund homeless veterans' shelters in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties. The bill requires these three southern counties to submit applications proposing specific locations and property they will provide for the state to develop and operate shelters. Grants will be awarded based on criteria set by the Adjutant General, using funds appropriated by the legislature. This directly addresses geographic barriers homeless veterans face in accessing shelter services, particularly during extreme weather, by establishing new facilities in underserved southern counties.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2423: Exempts certain veterans from gross income tax.

This bill exempts qualifying veterans from New Jersey's state income tax. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable military discharge (from active duty in U.S. Armed Forces, reserve, or New Jersey National Guard in federal status) and earn $50,000 or less in gross income annually. The exemption applies to taxable years starting January 1 after the bill takes effect. It directly affects low-income veterans who meet the service and income criteria. The bill modifies New Jersey's Gross Income Tax Act to provide this specific tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 1903: Establishes NJ Military Family Relief Fund; provides for designation on State gross income tax return to permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to military family relief fund.

S 1903 establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, a permanent fund in the State Treasury funded by voluntary taxpayer contributions designated on state income tax returns. The fund provides grants of up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for New Jersey residents who are active-duty military members (including reserves), National Guard members, veterans (with honorable discharge), or surviving spouses of eligible service members. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 12 consecutive months, demonstrate financial hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant within a 12-month period. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the program, determining eligibility and issuing grants from available funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Military Families National Guard & Reserve

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1118: Establishes Office of Inspector General for Veterans' Facilities.

This bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General specifically for New Jersey's veterans' facilities, including state-run nursing homes and long-term care facilities serving veterans. The inspector general - appointed by the governor with Senate approval - will investigate complaints about care quality, conduct facility inspections, and subpoena witnesses or documents to ensure safety and standards. The office must operate independently from the Department of Law and Public Safety and can refer criminal matters to prosecutors. It directly affects veterans receiving care in these facilities, as well as facility staff and administrators through enhanced oversight.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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